As we move toward the kickoff of the historic Rio+20 conference next year, the U.S. Green Building Council
and the Green Building Council Brasil are focused on advancing the inclusion of a framework for sustainable
and resilient urban infrastructure and the built environment. As we all work to inform the next global paradigm
that will ultimately be forged in Rio, we have prepared the following joint position paper that elaborates on the
importance of green, resilient communities and neighborhoods, sustainable and affordable housing, and green
schools, with a central message that green building is at the vanguard of a new green economy.

By issuing recommendations to governments around the world who are working to bring to scale sustainable
solutions in the areas of urban growth and the built environment, this paper provides a framework for action
under the Rio+20 theme ?the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication? that is centered on the following strategies.

1. Foster Green Communities and Neighborhoods:

-Revise zoning codes and development ordinances to facilitate high-density and mixed-use development.

-Provide a range of incentives to developers for building green.

-Make public financing conditional on sustainability criteria.

2. Achieve Sustainable and Affordable Housing:

-Strengthen residential building codes to include thresholds for Energy and water use.

-Integrate green features into government housing programs and funds for affordable housing.

- Identify and implement health, safety, and environmental standards for school buildings.

- Establish a revolving loan fund for green school renovations.

- Implement a green purchasing policy for public schools.

- Integrate schools into broader urban and community planning.

4. Pursue Resiliency as part of the Sustainable Built Environment:

-Consider resilient infrastructure and buildings throughout the development process as an adaptation strategy
for climate change.

-Pursue sustainability and resiliency strategies together wherever possible as they address equally important
dimensions of climate change in urban environments?mitigation and adaptation.

-Invest in resilient, green buildings as a ?no regret? strategy, as they prepare vulnerable populations against the
long-term uncertainty of climate change while adding health benefits and improving the quality of life to affected
individuals in the short-term.